Fingal Head Lighthouse

Even though the Fingal Head light tower is not high and it is built on a low headland the lighthouse is effective as it is built on one of the most easterly points of Australia with plenty of deep water offshore.

History

The Fingal Head Lighthouse was erected in 1872 of stone, and painted white, the tower had a fixed white light of 1,000 candelas.

Even though the light tower is not high and it is built on a low headland the light is effective as it is built on one of the most easterly points of Australia with plenty of deep water offshore.

continued below …

Fingal Head Light, NSW
Image: Roxford Bree

The Fingal Head Lighthouse
Photograph: Ian Clifford

View to fingal Rock from the lighthouse<br/>
Photograph: Ian Clifford — View to fingal Rock from the lighthouse
Photograph: Ian Clifford

The interior of the Fingal Head Lighthouse<br/>
Photograph: Ian Clifford — The interior of the Fingal Head Lighthouse
Photograph: Ian Clifford

The Fingal Head Lighthouse<br/>
Photograph: Ian Clifford — The Fingal Head Lighthouse
Photograph: Ian Clifford

The Fingal Head apparatus<br/>
Photograph: Ian Clifford — The Fingal Head apparatus
Photograph: Ian Clifford

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© All images are copyright of their respective photographers and are not to be used without permission.

Point Danger

3 Tweed Terrace, Coolangatta QLD 4225, Australia

Point Danger

Direction

Fingal Head

1B Lighthouse Parade, Fingal Head NSW 2487, Australia

Fingal Head

Direction

Cape Byron

Cape Byron Walking Track, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia

Cape Byron

Direction

continued from above …

The original kerosene wick burner was converted to automatic acetylene operation in 1920 with an output of 1,500 candelas and altered to group flashing. The one keeper was withdrawn at this time.

There is no record of the opening of this light considered so insignificant that apparently the first keeper did not think the matter of sufficient importance to take a record of the official opening.

Keepers

We need your help in compiling a list of keepers for this lighthouse. If you have any information then send it to keeper@lighthouses.org.au.

Please include this lighthouse’s name, the keepers full name and what years they were keepers. Also include the same information for any other lights they were on.

Technical Details

First Exhibited	1872
Current Tower	1872
Status	Active
Location	Lat. 28°12'1.11"S Long. 153°34'15.93"E
Original Optic	Chance Bros 4th order fixed
Current Optic	Vega FA-251
Automated	1920
Demanned	1920
Construction	Masonry
Height	7 m
Elevation	24 m
Range	White 17 NM Red 14 NM
Character	Fl. 5s
Intensity	White 37,000 cd; Red 9,000 cd
Light Source	12v 75 watt quartz halogen lamp
Power Source	Mains Electricity, Battery Standby
Operator	NSW Roads and Maritime Services
Custodian	NSW Crown Lands
Notes

NB: Information is historical data and is not for navigational purposes.

Access

The Fingal Head Lighthouse is located on the southern head of the Tweed River, which divides New South Wales and Queensland.

Tours

Accommodation

Museum

Friends Group

Associated Lighthouses

Richmond River – Ballina

Clarence River – Yamba

Tacking Point

Crowdy Head

Links

Fingal Head by Grant Maizels

Sources

Cyril Curtain for Photographs
Ian Clifford for Photographs & Technical Data
Averil Legg
From Dusk Till Dawn by Gordon Reid
Mary Shelley Clark and Jack Clark
Sydney AFLOAT
W. Lippingwell, Coastal Lighthouses of NSW, 1938